Tuesday, August 25, 2026, Victor Fleming

Veteran constructor Victor Fleming takes us on an enlightening voyage of discovery today, with four theme entries each containing the word AHA. The apt reveal describes the breakthrough that a solver must make to see the theme.

 17A. *Broad-brimmed topper made of straw: PANAMA HAT. These traditional brimmed straw hats actually originated in Ecuador. They have become popular tropical and seaside accessories due to their breathability and ease of wear.  

Looking cool while staying cool!

24A. *Dry-cured meats from Smithfield: VIRGINIA HAMS. The Commonwealth of Virginia requires that "genuine Smithfield hams" must be salted, processed, smoked, cured, and aged for a minimum of six months, all within the corporate limits of the town of Smithfield, Virginia. 

39A. *Seattle NFL player: SEAHAWK. The Seattle Seahawks are the reigning Super Bowl Champions. Seahawk fans are known to be rambunctious, dedicated, and LOUD.

50A. *Joe Biden's vice president: KAMALA HARRIS. Before being tapped by Joe Biden as his running mate in the 2020 presidential election, Kamala Harris served as California's Attorney General and as a United States Senator. She made history as the first woman to be elected as the U.S. vice president. 

61A. Puzzle solver's breakthrough, or what the answers to the starred clues have in common: AHA MOMENT. The reveal! An "aha moment" is when the solution to a problem becomes clear. This expression is familiar in a wide range of contexts - including crossword puzzles.

 On to the the rest of the entries!

Across:
1. Cherry centers: PITS. Cherries are an early summer delight!

5. Eco-friendly commuting option: BIKE. In the Danish capital of Copenhagen, 62% of all inhabitants commute to work, school, or university by bicycle. This will not come as a surprise to anyone who has had the pleasure of visiting Copenhagen. In additional to being eco-friendly, cycling is generally perceived to be a healthier, cheaper, and often quicker alternative to driving. 

Rush hour in Copenhagen.

 

9. Big blowout: BLAST. Both words can be used to describe a gala event.

14. 2026's "The Odyssey," for one: EPIC. An epic is a long narrative poem recounting the deeds of a legendary or historic hero - or any work of art that resembles one. Attributed to the Greek poet Homer, The Odyssey is one of the oldest surviving works of literature. While there is no consensus among scholars on dating the composition, the 8th century BC is a common estimate. The 2026 film version has performed strongly at the box office, with both film critics and audiences giving overwhelmingly positive reviews. But I doubt that anyone will still watch it 28 centuries hence. 

15. Workplace inspection org.: OSHA. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is a part of the U.S. Department of Labor.

16. Pry bar, e.g.: LEVER. A pry bar is a flatter and thinner version of a crowbar. Both are examples of levers used to pry things apart. Levers are a common topic of discussion in high school physics classes.

17. [Theme entry]

19. New Zealand native: MAORI. The Maori are indigenous people of mainland New Zealand, descended from East Polynesian settlers who arrived in several waves of canoe voyages during the mid 1300s. 

20. Olympic swimmer Torres: DARA. Dara Torres is the first swimmer to represent the United States in five different Olympic games (1984, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2008). She won total of 12 medals, including at least one in all five of the Olympics in which she competed. She is currently the Head Swimming and Diving Coach at Boston College.

Still hanging out at the pool!

 

21. Mauna __: Hawaiian volcano slightly taller than Mauna Loa: KEA. An easy Tuesday-level clue for a familiar crossword entry.

23. Soapy tub gunk: SCUM. "Gunk" is a fun word! 

24. [Theme entry]

28. Bartending tool: OPENER. A bottle opener is another type of LEVER. 

30. Chatted privately online, for short: DMED. Abbreviation for direct-messaged. 

31. Greek god of war: ARES. Son of Zeus and Hera, brother of Athena. 

32. Owlet's home: NEST. Owls do not build their own nests. Rather, they rely on natural tree hollows, abandoned nests of other large birds, or human-made structures. Burrowing owls re-purpose tunnels evacuated by other species such as ground squirrels or prairie dogs. They sometimes bring coyote dung to their holes to attract dung beetles (which they eat) and to scare off the previous residents. I used to observe this dynamic firsthand during early-morning runs past a prairie dog town.  

Plotting to evict the home builder.

 

35. Smells: ODORS. While "odor" can refer to any smell, it is most often used for those that are unpleasant. "Aroma" has a much more positive connotation. 

38. Steeped beverage: TEA. In December of 1773, colonists dressed as native Americans dumped a cargo of tea into Boston harbor in protest of British taxation policies. The so-called Boston Tea Party escalated tensions between Great Britain and her American colonies. Less than two years later, the first battles of the American Revolution were held in the Boston suburbs of Lexington and Concord. 

39. [Theme entry]

41. French "yes": OUI. Pronounced "we."

42. Coffeehouse flavor: MOCHA. Caffe mocha combines the flavors of coffee and chocolate in a beverage whose aroma is nearly irresistible. The name derives from the Yemeni city of Mokha, an early center of the coffee trade.

44. Use a keyboard: TYPE. Most modern keyboards use the so-called QWERTY layout, named for the order of letters on the upper left-hand corner, as a de facto standard. This layout was first devised and created by Christopher Latham Sholes in the early 1870s. 

45. Torso bones: RIBS. Twelve pairs of ribs make up the rib cage, which protects the vital organs in the chest, such as the heart and lungs. 

46. Will beneficiary: HEIR. One who is legally entitled to receive a deceased person's money, property, or title. 

48. Art studio stands: EASELS. Used to create and display paintings and drawings.

The beret is not optional.

 

50. [Theme entry]

54. Grew older: AGED. We've all done it!

55. Grumpy pal: DOC. A Snow White reference. 

Grumpy                     Doc

56. Respiratory organ: LUNG. The primary organ in the respiratory system, which extracts oxygen from the atmosphere, transfers it to the bloodstream, and releases carbon dioxide from the bloodstream to the atmosphere.

59. Lost color: PALED. Pallor can signal temporary emotional distress, shock, vitamin deficiencies, frostbite, low blood sugar, or a drop in blood pressure. 

61. [Theme entry]

65. Maker of soccer and rugby gear: UMBRO. I don't play or follow these sports, so I was unfamiliar with the brand. The company was founded in 1924, and is based in Manchester, England. The UMBRO jerseys worn by the Democratic Republic of Congo during the 2026 World Cup were celebrated by soccer jersey aficionados for their stylish representation of Congolese heritage. 

Playing in style.

 

66. Part in a film: ROLE. The goal of many an aspiring actor.

67. Big birds of Australia: EMUS. The emu appears with the kangaroo on the Australian coat of arms. 

Not a strong contender in the species beauty contest.

 

68. Fluff, as hair: TEASE. In the 1980s, so-called "hair bands" sported extensively teased coifs. Note the resemblance to the plumage of the emu above. This look has not aged well.

The 1980s are calling.

 

69. Raggedy Ann, e.g.: DOLL. This doll was introduced to the public as a character in the children's book Raggedy Ann Stories (1918), written by American author Johnny Gruelle (1880 - 1938). The doll was marketed with the book, and both were highly successful. 

70. Nothing to write home about: SO-SO. Meh. 

Down:

1. __ talk: motivational chat: PEP. A short speech intended to encourage people to work harder or try to win a competition. 

2. Apple tablet since 2010: IPAD. Apple shipped an estimated 60.2 million iPads globally in 2025.

3. Writer/actress Fey: TINA. Tina Fey is known for her sketch comedy, and for numerous television and film roles. She was a member of the Saturday Night Live cast from 1997 - 2006, also serving as the program's head writer during this time. 

4. Woolen wraps: SCARVES. A scarf can provide warmth in winter, and add a dash of style to any look. 

 

5. Feathery wrap: BOA. Boas are all about style - not warmth.

 6. Sorta: ISH. A suffix that has become a standalone word.

7. Tan kin: KHAKI. Khaki is a common color for military uniforms, particularly those intended for use in desert or arid regions. 

8. Gobbled up: EATEN. Consumed by eating.

9. Racial justice movement letters: BLM. Short for Black Lives Matter, a movement that was founded in 2013.

10. Like a dog who's ready for a walk: LEASHED. Many dogs erupt in spasms of joy when their people pick up the leash - it's time for a walk!

Lets go!

11. Healthy fat with a high smoke point: AVOCADO OIL. Avocado oil is high in monounsaturated fats and vitamin E. 12. Skin care product: SERUM. Some skin care serum is made with avocado oil. 

 13. Cuts back a bit: TRIMS. Can refer to budgets, meals, hair, etc. 

18. Major water pipe: MAIN. Years ago, a fire department pressure check on a hydrant in my neighborhood ruptured the water mains at several houses, including mine. A neighbor who was home at the time reported a loud bang followed by little geysers erupting in the nearest yards. The city covered repair and replacement costs for the damaged pipes. 

22. Provide support: AID. Donating or distributing food to those facing hunger is just one of many wonderful and fulfilling opportunities to support people in need. 

Setting up for a food bank distribution in Illinois.

25. Russo of "Major League": RENE. Rene Russo began her career as a fashion model in the 1970s, gracing the covers of Vogue and Cosmopolitan. Her acting debut was a supporting role in the popular 1989 comedy Major League. She has since starred in numerous thrillers and action movies. 

Rene Russo rocking the red rug.

 26. "Awesome!": GREAT. "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." - Mark Twain

 27. Totally wild: AMOK. Originally adapted to English as a noun meaning "murderous frenzy." Amok derived from the Malay-language name of a psychiatric disorder in which the afflicted person (usually a man) attacked and killed bystanders until he collapsed or was himself killed. The violent nature of the term has gradually been mitigated in the adverb form of the word used by English speakers today, who typically describe actions that are unruly but not murderous.   
 
28. Creme-filled sandwich: OREO. Straightforward hint for a familiar entry that has recently been generating ever-more elaborate clueing. 

29. French dessert with fruit and ice cream: PEACH MELBA. A dessert of peaches and raspberry sauce with vanilla ice cream. Peach Melba was originally created in 1892 by the French chef Auguste Escoffier to honor the Australian soprano Nellie Melba.

What is not to love about this magnificent creation?

31. Drive-thru device: ATM. Automated Teller Machine. 

33. Timid: SHY. While sloths are often portrayed as lazy creatures, they are actually just shy and prefer to hide away from prying eyes in the dense canopy of trees. They maintain a low profile and preserve energy whenever possible. 

Move on, folks. Nothing to see here. 

34. Slender candle: TAPER. Commonly used for formal dinners, and for enhancing a room's decor.

36. Massages: RUBS. Massage refers to the rubbing or kneading of the body's soft tissues, for relief from body stress and/or pain. 

37. Bro kin: SIS. Short for "brother" and "sister."

39. Catamaran feature: SAIL. A catamaran is a sailing craft with two parallel hulls, whose separation imparts stability through resistance to rolling and overturning. Catamarans were invented by the Austronesian peoples, enabling their expansion to the islands of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Now this looks like fun!

40. __ and tear: WEAR. The phrase "wear and tear" refers to damage that naturally and inevitably occurs as a result of prolonged use and aging.

43. Web page banners: HEADERS. Another type of header occurs on the soccer pitch.

45. Job applicants' submissions: RESUMES. Many resumes today are written with the assistance of an AI, and are pre-screened using another AI. This dehumanization can cause great stress for applicants looking for an opportunity to shine. 

47. "Awesome!": RAD. 1980's surfer/skater slang, short for "radical." 

49. Rural storage tower: SILO. The word "silo" comes from an ancient Greek term meaning "pit for holding grain." My husband was raised in the rural Midwest, where the landscape is dotted with silos.

 

50. Broken beyond repair: KAPUT. I love the sound of this fun word! Adapted from a term used by French card players to describe big winners and big losers. 

51. Athlete's best effort: A GAME. During his/her PEP talk, the coach may tell you to "bring your A game."

52. Accumulate excessively: HOARD. ARRRGH - do you remember the hoarding-induced toilet paper shortage that occurred during the first year of COVID-19?

53. "Bless you" preceder: ACHOO. The sound of allergy season.

57. Reef-dwelling Pixar character: NEMO. The 2003 animated film Finding Nemo features a clownfish named Marlin searching for his lost son Nemo. The movie received widespread critical acclaim, and was a smash hit at the box office. 

58. African antelopes: GNUS. Frequently encountered in homonym-based puns. 

Have I got gnus for you!

60. Female deer: DOE. Does often have strong bonds with their fawns, who typically stay with their mothers for about a year. Female fawns may remain with their mothers even longer. 

62. __-purpose flour: ALL. All-purpose flour has a medium protein content, which strikes a balance between strength and tenderness making it a versatile choice for a wide variety of recipes.

63. Blanc who voiced Bugs: MEL. The talented Mr. Blanc voiced both Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. An excerpt below from the timeless classic What's Opera, Doc?

 

64. Chinese menu general: TSO. The dish was named in honor of Zuo Zongtang (1812 - 1885), a Chinese statesman and army officer sometimes referred to as General Tso.

Here's a picture of the full grid, with the "AHAs" highlighted:

 

  

For me, this puzzle has all of the elements that can make Tuesday outings such fun: an accessible theme, high-quality fill with a few unusual (but fair) entries, and clueing that is straightforward but never dull. I am also impressed by the low number of proper names, which helps to ensure a smooth solve for puzzlers of all generations. 

Your thoughts? 

Kat 

 

Sunday, August 9, 2026, Joe Deeney

(Note from C.C.: I'm excited to announce that constructor Katherine Simonson (Kat on our blog) has joined our blogging team. Our blog has covered eight of Kat's LAT puzzles. She's impressed us time and again with her keen eye as both a constructor and a blogger. I'm thrilled to have her on board.)

 

Prolific constructor Joe Deeney edits some film for us today, with highly entertaining results. 

The title of the puzzle, "A+ in Film Studies", is a terrific hint for what is going on here. Each of the seven theme entries is the title of a reasonably well-known movie, with just one little change: the addition of the letter "A." This creates a new set of phrases, which are described in the clues. While straightforward letter insertion themes are fairly common crossword fare, the puzzle stands out to me for the quality of its execution. The theme set is remarkably tight and highly entertaining, and the fill includes lots of fresh and fun words. An altogether pleasant Sunday morning at the movies!

 Theme entries as they appear in the grid are as follows:

22A. Public square that gets really sticky in the heat?: LICORICE PIAZZA. The movie Licorice Pizza is a 2021 coming-of-age film nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. While critically acclaimed, it struggled at the box office. However, it has since developed a significant following in indie film circles. A PIAZZA is an open square in an Italian town - and one made of licorice would certainly get sticky in the heat.  

 Alana Haim is the lead actress in Licorice Pizza. She is also well known for playing with her sisters in the Grammy-nominated band Haim.

39A. One who can only rasp quietly?: THE HOARSE WHISPERER. My favorite of the theme entries. The Horse Whisperer is a 1998 neo-western drama directed by and starring Robert Redford. The film is based on Nicholas Evans' 1995 novel of the same name. The term "horse whisperer" refers to a skilled practitioner who understands and interprets equine behavior, and uses gentle and empathetic training methods. A HOARSE whisperer would be difficult to hear.

48A. Spot in a store with toys, water bowls, and leashes?: AISLE OF DOGS. The movie Isle of Dogs is a 2018 stop-motion animated science fiction comedy-drama written, produced, and directed by Wes Anderson. The complex plot involves the banishment of all dogs to an isolated island, and subsequent attempts at their rescue. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. An AISLE of dogs would contain items designed for use by dogs and dog-owners. 

 

Perusing goods in the Aisle of Dogs.

 

68. Warning before a particularly scary monster flick?: BEAST IN SHOW. The quirky comedic mockumentary Best in Show was released in 2000 to mostly positive reviews. The plot follows five dogs competing in a prestigious dog show, along with their owners, trainers, and handlers. It is credited with generating interest in the dog show circuit, leading to the decision to televise the National Dog Show on Thanksgiving Day every year since 2002. A monster flick might want to warn would-be viewers that there was a scary BEAST in the show. 

 

Director Christopher Guest was also a member of Best in Show's ensemble cast.

 

84. R-rated NASA event?: NAKED LAUNCH. The 1991 surrealist science-fiction drama film Naked Lunch was based on William S. Burroughs's novel of the same name. While some critical reviews were positive, the movie was a box office flop. It has since found a cult fandom, which admires its surrealistic visual and thematic elements. NASA does not do naked LAUNCHES. Crew survival suits are, of course, needed to protect astronauts from outer space's vacuum, along with temperature extremes and radiation. 

 

Artemis astronauts in their launch suits - NOT their birthday suits!

 

93A. Oak trees?: CHILDREN OF THE ACORN. Stephen King's short story Children of the Corn has been adapted into several movies, including a horror feature film franchise of the same name beginning in 1984. The 1984 film was apparently quite gory, and neither critics nor audiences were particularly enthusiastic. But they keep making sequels. An ACORN can sprout and grow into an oak tree - unless a squirrel get it first.

 

116A. Glass ceiling-breaking event?: ASCENT OF A WOMAN. Al Pacino won the Best Actor Academy Award for the 1992 film Scent of a Woman, which was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film was adapted from the Italian novel Il buio e il miele ("Darkness and Honey") by Giovanni Arpino. A woman's ASCENT of the career ladder might be an example of someone overcoming invisible barriers to success. 

 

Across:

1. Some latte orders: DECAFS. Some of us can't handle caffeine, and decaffeinated coffee lets us enjoy the aroma, taste, and warmth of coffee drinks without getting hopelessly wired. 

7. Enemy of ancient Athens: SPARTA. The city-state of Sparta became the prominent land military power in the ancient Greek world during the 7th century BC and retained this status until defeated by the Thebans 371 BC. 

13. Alpaca kin: LLAMA. Llamas are domesticated (and often ornery) pack animals used by Andean cultures since the pre-Columbian era. 

18. "Play slowly," in music: ADAGIO. Borrowed from the Italian. 

19. Peanut butter and jelly: SPREADS. The earliest recorded mention of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich appeared in Boston Cooking School Magazine in 1901. If you grew up in Massachusetts like I did, then you are probably familiar with the "fluffernutter", which replaces the jelly with marshmallow fluff. Delicious!

21. Keeps occupied: TIES UP. Figuratively, not literally. 

22. [Theme entry]

24. Would rather not: HATE TO. As in: "I hate to be the bearer of bad news."

25. Biblical suffix: ETH. Giveth, leadeth, overfloweth, etc.

26. Sp. address: SRA. Short for "Senorita", a single girl or woman.

27. Quite the commotion: ADO. A crossword puzzle standard. 

28. Ski lift: T-BAR. Pulls two skiers up the mountain together. Don't sit on the bar. Easy once you get the hang of it.

 

Child's play!

 

30. Actor Kilmer: VAL. The American actor Val Kilmer (1959 - 2025) played many iconic roles, including Iceman in the Top Gun films, Doc Holliday in Tombstone, and Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever.

31. Chuckle syllable: HEH. Sometimes described as an "evil laugh." 

33. Founded, as a co.: ESTD. Established. The use of  "co." as an abbreviation for "company" in the clue tells us that the answer will also be a shortened form. 

36. "Don't play," in music: TACET. Adapted from the Latin. 

38. Phi __ Kappa: BETA.  Established in 1776 at the College of William and Mary, Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest academic honor society in the United States. It aims to promote and advocate excellence in the Liberal Arts and Sciences. 

39.  [Theme entry]

44. Title for Judi Dench: DAME. The acclaimed Dame Judi Dench is one of the highest-profile actresses in British popular culture. She won an Academy Award as the Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in 1998's Shakespeare in Love.

 

46. Fox or ox: ANIMAL. Pretty straightforward.

 

47. __ monster: GILA. A slow-moving, venomous lizard indigenous to the southwestern U.S. and the northern Mexican state of Sonora. 

48. [Theme entry]

51. Castle-breaching explosive: PETARD. A petard is a small bell-shaped bomb. The Shakespearean expression "hoist on his own petard" means that the bomb-maker was blown off the ground by his munition. 

53. Sandbox visitor: TOT. Kids love playing in the sand.

54. Rapper Dr. __: DRE. The American rapper, record producer, record executive, and actor known as Dr. Dre was born Andre Rommel Young. He has won seven Grammy awards, four for his production work.

 

 

55. Matar paneer vegetables: PEAS. Peas are very common in Indian cuisine.

57. Cause friction: CHAFE. Synonymous with "abrade."

60. Cookie whose website has recipes for cheesecake and empanadas: OREO. Is there no limit to the versatility of oreos?

62. Derby-sporting Addams: ITT. The diminutive and hairy Cousin Itt is a character in the Addams Family television series and subsequent movie and stage adaptations. 

 

64. Ancient hulled wheat: SPELT. Also known as "dinkel wheat", spelt is high in protein. 

66. Old Jutland resident: TEUTON. The Jutland Peninsula in Northern Europe forms the continental portion of Denmark and part of northern Germany. It is believed that the ancient Teutonic people lived in Jutland until the Cimbrian Flood of around 114 BC forced their migration. 

67. "Fiddlesticks": DARN. Both terms are used to express mild annoyance. 

68. [Theme entry]

71. Lysol target: GERM. The first Lysol Brand Antiseptic Disinfectant was introduced in Germany in 1889 to help end a cholera epidemic. 

72. Chemist Mendeleev who created the periodic table: DMITRI. Russian chemist Dr. Mendeleev formulated the periodic law in 1863 and used it to correct the then-accepted properties of some known elements, and to predict the properties of three elements that were yet-undiscovered. 

74. Castle trenches: MOATS. Water-filled trenches helped to keep invaders away from medieval castle walls, and prevented them from tunneling underneath. 

75. Hit the slopes: SKI. Winter recreation at its finest!

 

76. Blackthorn berry: SLOE. The berries, which are very tart if eaten fresh, are instead used for making sloe gin, jam, chutney, and fruit pies. 

77. Beyonce's "I Am... __ Fierce": SASHA. Title of a 2008 studio album. "Sasha Fierce" is Beyonce's on-stage alter ego. 

78. In the mail: SENT. It's on the way!

79. Blunder: ERR. Our new silicon overlords will not have this problem.

 

81. Liberty Mutual's bus.: INS. Short for "insurance." Liberty Mutual is high on everyone's list of most annoying TV commercials.

82. Hybrid synth instrument: KEYTAR. Portmanteau: A KEYboard instrument that can be played like a guiTAR. News to me!

Lady Gaga on the keytar.

84. [Theme entry]

89. Pedal pushers: FEET. Propelling a bicycle by pushing on the pedals. 

90. __ roll: KAISER. A type of round hard roll originating in Austria. 

92. "What fun!": WHEE. An expression of joy.

93. [Theme entry]

99. Golfer McIlroy: RORY. Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy is a professional golfer who plays on the European and PGA tours. He is currently the #2 ranked player in the world. 

 

Winning the 2026 Masters.

100. Broadcast again: RE-AIR. Many television stations limit their content to re-broadcasts of older programs. 

101. Hurdle for an aspiring JD: LSAT. Law School Admission Test.

102. Halloween mo.: OCT. Halloween is celebrated on October 31.

 

105. Off-rd. wheels: ATV. Short for "all terrain vehicle."

106. "Stranger Things" actor Wolfhard: FINN. Finn Wolfhard is a Canadian actor, musician, and film director. He and his Stranger Things cast mates won a 2017 Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. 

107. Hoppy fave: IPA. India Pale Ale. A beer style that has a strong flavor of hops. 

110. Wireless std.: LTE. Long Term Evolution is a standard for wireless broadband communication for cellular mobile devices and data terminals. 

112. "Midsommar" director Aster: ARI. American filmmaker Ari Aster's movies combine elements of dark comedy, horror, and graphic violence. No wonder I hadn't heard of him.

114. Minor flaw: FOIBLE. A frailty or moral weakness. 

116. [Theme entry]

121. Musical weakness: TIN EAR. An insensitivity to music.

122. Invertebrate found in every ocean: SEA STAR. Five-armed marine invertebrates also known as starfish - although they aren't actually fish. Sea stars come in many colors, and can be quite lovely.

 

 

123. Hackers' shout of success: WE'RE IN. Hackers are everywhere - practice good cyber hygiene.

124. Go out for a while?: SLEEP. Clever clue. 

 

Take a nice little nap and all is right with the world. 

 

125. Beguile: ENTICE. To attract or tempt by arousing hope, interest, or desire. 

126. Jaunty neckwear: ASCOTS. Apparently, ascots are reserved for formal wear with morning dress for daytime weddings. I only ever see Ascots in crosswords puzzles. Not really a thing in my social set. 

Down:
1. Broad valley: DALE. The term is most frequently used in Yorkshire and the Southern Uplands of Scotland. 

2. "Ethan Frome" novelist Wharton: EDITH. American writer and designer Edith Newbold Wharton (1862 - 1937) was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, for her novel The Age of Innocence. She published the novella Ethan Frome in 1911.

3. Browser storage: CACHE. A hardware or software component that stores data to speed future requests.

4. In the past: AGO. As in, "Four score and seven years AGO . . ."

5. Many Christmas trees: FIRS. Fir trees are members of the pine family. They are found in mountains throughout much of North and Central America, Eurasia, and North Africa.

 

 

6. Fancy affair: SOIREE. A soiree is an evening party or reception. Since ASCOTS are reserved for morning dress, do not wear yours to a soiree. 

7. NNW reversal: SSE. North-Northwest is 180 degrees from South-Southeast. 

8. "Play very, very softly," in music: PPP. The instruction stands for pianississimo, played softly to add a sense of delicacy to the music. 

9. Met highlight: ARIA. For any opera buffs in the Corner, the video below shows a wonderful stage performance of the seductive Habanera aria from George Bizet's Carmen. Tunisian-Canadian mezzo soprano Rihab Chaieb's facial expressions and body language are as delightful as her magnificent voice.

 

 If I love you - beware!

 

10. Assessment: READ. An analysis of the meaning or significance of something. 

11. Lipton division: TAZO TEA. The Tazo Tea company was founded in 1994 in Portland, Oregon. After several changes of ownership, it became a part of Lipton Teas and Infusions in 2022. 

12. Curved cutting tool: ADZ. An adz is similar to an axe, but the cutting edge is perpendicular to the handle rather than parallel.

13. "Nothing you say is true!": LIAR. A common accusation in courtroom dramas. 

14. Tennis do-over: LET. When a served ball hits the top of the net but still lands in the correct service box. 

15. Affectionate sign-off: AS EVER. More formal than "With Love", less formal than "Sincerely".

16. Change genetically: MUTATE. An alteration in an organism's DNA sequence.

17. Like molecules that cannot form permanent bonds: APOLAR. Charge is evenly distributed in apolar (or nonpolar) molecules, and unevenly distributed in polar molecules.

20. Nickname for Louis Armstrong: SATCH. Louis "Satch" Armstrong (1901 - 1971) was an acclaimed American jazz and blues trumpeter and vocalist. He won a 1965 Grammy Award for Best Male Vocal Performance, and a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1972. 

 

21. "There isn't anything else!?": THAT'S IT. "That's It" brand snack bars contain no ingredients other than dried fruit. 

23. Lettuce or cabbage: CASH. Slang usage that was not familiar to me. 

29. Neutral shades: BEIGES. When we re-stuccoed the house, we learned that there are endless ways to say "tan."

32. Web design code: HTML. Abbreviation for Hypertext Markup Language. 

34. Warty amphibian: TOAD. It is a myth that handling toads causes warts. 

35. Paul of "The Batman": DANO. Paul Dano is an American actor, film director, writer, and producer. He played villain the The Riddler in the 2022 movie The Batman.

37. Piercing tool: AWL. Used to pierce small holes in leather or wood.

38. Tight squeezes: BEAR HUGS. Mother bears and their cubs display affectionate behavior that resembles human hugs. 

 

Sweet - at a safe distance.

 40. Listen to: HEED. Pay attention.

41. Fix badly?: RIG. 

Just ... no.

42. Texting tech: SMS. Short message service.

43. Put a name to: PLACE. To identify by connecting with an associated context.

44. Natural history museum display: DIORAMA. A fun word not often encountered in puzzles.

 

Diorama at the wonderful Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

 

45. "M*A*S*H" star?: ASTERISK. Clever clue!

48. Not on the same page: AT ODDS. In disagreement.

49. Savanna antelope: ORIBI. A small antelope found in eastern, southern, and western Africa. 

50. Glam gala: FETE. A FETE is an elaborate party. 

51. Trails: PATHS. Hiking paths the world over offer a way to experience natural beauty at your own pace.

 

New Zealand's Routeburn Track.

52. Intro to many a newsreel: DATELINE. The dateline communicates the date, time, and location of the news reel's contents.

55. Calligraphy tools: PENS. Calligraphers take fine handwriting to the level of visual art.

56. Some city trains: ELS. Short for "elevated trains", whose tracks are above street level. 

58. As a departure from the norm: FOR ONCE. An exception to the rule. 

59. Snare: ENMESH. Can be used either literally or figuratively. 

61. Without any planning: ON THE FLY. Spontaneously.

63. More family-friendly: TAMER. Suitable for all audiences.

64. Walks or runs: STAT. As a statistician myself, I appreciate stats humor!

65. Where some get tired quickly?: PIT. In an auto race, tires are quickly changed during a PIT stop. It took me a while to get this one!

66. Movement while asking "How do I look?": TWIRL. As perfectly executed below:

 

 

69. Junior: SON. When a father and son share the same first, middle, and last names, the son is often referred to as "Junior."  

70. Rubber-stamped: OKED. The term "okay" originated in Boston in the late 1830s during a fad for abbreviating misspellings. In this case, "oll korrect" was an intentional misspelling of "all correct."

73. Like a daisy: RAYED. In the sense of radiating out from a center. 

78. Shiny fabric: SATEEN. Sateen has the characteristics of silk satin but is less expensive. 

80. Sultry growl: RAWR. A slangy way to express affection.

83. Boston University athlete: TERRIER. Boston University is a men's ice hockey powerhouse, having won the national championship five times. They were the tournament's runner-up in 2025. 

 

BU's Boston Terrier mascot.

84. Trivial objection: NIT. A minor shortcoming.

85. Product of incomplete combustion: ASH. A crossword puzzle regular. 

86. Ship stabilizer: KEEL. Interestingly, "keel" as a verb can mean to fall down suddenly - the opposite of stabilization. 

87. Noted times: ERAS. Another crossword regular. Think Bronze Era, Jazz Era, Medieval Era.

88. "Um, think again": UH NO. "Sorry, not gonna happen."

90. Showy carp: KOI. Koi are kept for decorative purposes in outdoor ponds or water gardens.

91. From Cairo or Cape Town: AFRICAN. Both are major cities on the continent.

93. Makes with skill: CRAFTS. Craft beer is produced at microbreweries nationwide.

94. Medium for deep-frying: HOT OIL. The Food Network lists corn oil as its top choice for deep-frying.

95. California city near Santa Ana: IRVINE. Irvine is a planned city whose layout was designed beginning in the late 1950s. Because the plan considered only automobile transportation, Irvine today is very car-dependent. 

96. Grams: NANAS. Both are shorter words for "grandmother."

97. Young hippopotamus: CALF. The hippo calf at the Albuquerque Biopark Zoo is exceptionally cute.

 

98. Capital west of Montreal: OTTAWA. The Canadian national capital is located in the province of Ontario. 

103. Brief appearance: CAMEO. The English film director Alfred Hitchcock famously made cameo appearances in 40 of his films. 

104. Hair texture, e.g.: TRAIT. Natural hair texture is genetically determined. But with enough "product", anything is possible.

106. Dust jacket part: FLAP. A dust jacket is the detachable outside cover of a book; the flaps fold inside of the book. 

108. Ramona, per Beezus: PEST. Beverly Cleary's beloved 1968 children's novel Ramona the Pest remains popular with young girls learning to read (and their parents). Older sister Beezus does not appreciate Ramona's free spirit. 

 

 

109. Voting against: ANTI. "Pro" voters are in favor.

111. Short-horned bighorns: EWES. Bighorn rams have large curved horns, while ewe horns are smaller and straighter. 

113. Some Tripadvisor recommendations: INNS. Generally considered more "cozy" than hotels and motels. 

115. Buzzer?: BEE. As in bumblebee. 

117. "Told you!": SEE. I like the phonetic sequence of "bee" and "cee."

118. Washington's Sea-__ Airport: TAC. Short for Seattle-Tacoma.

119. Minecraft material: ORE. Minecraft is a video game in which players can discover and extract raw materials. 

120. Battle of Helm's Deep combatant: ORC. A fictional race of humanoid monsters encountered in fantasy novels. Not my reading genre, so I only know about orcs through crossword puzzles. 

 That's it! Here is a picture of the completed grid, with theme entries highlighted:

 

I am excited to be a part a blogging team that I have long admired! Thanks to C.C. for inviting me to join, for patiently coaching me on all of the mechanics of putting entries together, and for her encouraging feedback on practice blogs. And thank-you to the full team for the wonderfully warm welcome!

 

I hope that everyone has a nice Sunday.

- Kat